Let the games begin!

WOW!! A really really BIG WOW!! That's all I can say. China surely have made a very very wonderful show. Make that a spectacular show. From the moment they have started, I could feel my heart pumping with the beat of their drums. The pageantry and artistic execution of the choreography made everyone's efforts and sacrifices fade off. Add into it the brilliant use of lights and colors. A truly magnificent and well directed event.

I could say that there were many highlights of the one hour opening act. But what I like most in that act (I think it mostly centered on it) was when they introduce the Chinese visual arts of calligraphy, printing and painting. Dancers made some patterns on a big size paper-like canvas (I really don't know if it is still paper or some other material as it is quite sturdy to carry some people on top of it) which turned out to be mountains and valleys. A part of the act made some children highlight the initial drawing with colors as a group of young men (I think in their teens) perform martial arts (I am not sure if it is tai chi as there are some fast movements).

With that I thought that the image was already completed. But once each country were introduced, they walked into something like a giant ink pad that added colors to the drawing as they walk along. Eventually, as more and more people pass by, a clearer picture emerges. The final image was then used as the stage platform.

Now the climax of the entire show I would say would be the lighting of the olympic flame. I already noticed earlier that they placed a small platform in one part of the stadium but I was wondering how would they light the olympic flame. Then the answer came with a magnificent and out of this world act. The torch bearer where lifted from the ground with a harness then raised up near the top of the stadium with the torch bearer moving his body as if he was running around and around the stadium as images of the torch's travels flashes in the background. The highlight was when the olympic flame was lighted with everyone in awe with its magnificence.

I remember the best olympic flame lighting ever (for me). During the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when an archer from the ground lighted the Olympic flame which is on top of a tower. A truly spectacular thing to see. Click here for video.

*UPDATE 13 Aug 2008 - Found this video in YouTube



* Beijing Olympic photos taken from Yahoo
Picture of platform from http://en.beijing2008.cn/

Another personality test

Don't really have anything to write about though I have been thinking of something lately but still don't know if it will turn out ok. Found an entry from a friend's blog and took the challenge of determining my personality (again). They say it is accurate, but I am not sure if it says the same for me as during the test I think some of my traits were listed down on the other. To take the test, click here.

Reliable Realists are down-to-earth and responsible-minded. They are precise, reserved and demanding. Their most prominent quality is reliability and they will always make every effort to keep any promise given. Reliable Realists are more quiet and serious persons, they do not talk a lot but they are good listeners. They sometimes seem reserved and distant to outsiders although they often have a great deal of wit and esprit. Their strong points are thoroughness, a marked sense of justice, doggedness bordering on pigheadedness and a pragmatic, vigorous and purposeful manner. Reliable Realists do not dither about if something has to be done. They do what is necessary without wasting words.

This personality type not only expects a lot of himself but also of others. Once Reliable Realists have set their mind on something, it is difficult to persuade them otherwise. They do not like to leave anything to chance. Planning means safety to Reliable Realists, as well as order and discipline. They have no problem respecting authorities and hierarchies but do not like to delegate tasks. They are certain that others would not deal with them as conscientiously as they do. In management positions, they are very task-oriented - they make sure that things are well done; however, they do not have a great deal of interest in personal contacts at work.

In relationships too, Reliable Realists are reliability itself. As partners, they are faithful and consistent, well-balanced and sensible. Security and stability are very important to them. They have little time for extravagances and flightiness. Whoever has them as friend or partner can rely on them for a lifetime. However, it takes quite a while for Reliable Realists to enter into a relationship or friendship. They have little need for social contacts; they therefore take great care when choosing partners and friends and limit themselves to a small but exclusive circle which meets their high demands. They tend to show their closeness to people who are important to them by deeds - their partner should rather not expect romantic declarations of love.

In Memoriam...Randy Pausch

Should've blogged about this much earlier when I read the news at ACM's website. Though I really don't know much about the guy, he will surely be missed especially in the computing science community after all his work with virtual reality.

Anyways, I got to know about this guy from a video posted at YouTube about his "last lecture" which I have seen about 3 months ago (although the lecture itself was presented on Sept. 18, 2007). He talked about how one must achieve their childhood dreams and that along the way, enable the dreams of others. Although presented before a packed auditorium, the entire talk was really for his children that he knows he wouldn't see grow old, enter school, graduate, date, have a work, get married, have children, have a family life and, most importantly, achieve their dreams. What a really remarkable way to teach your children to follow your dreams. He may be gone, but what he presented in that lecture will surely be remembered, not only by his children but by everyone who have seen and heard that "last lecture". I guess it is about time for us, for me, to rethink about my childhood dreams and where have I gone so far. To see what's beyond the wall facing me and try to reach that other side of the wall.



For a link of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

*Picture taken from ACM's website.

One Piece...update

Just to let you know that after three weeks of staying up late, I was able to finish the entire collection of One Piece. Still waiting for the next episode to be released on Aug 3 (?).

Nagano Tour

In an anticipation for a need to relax after the defense, I signed up for a tour with the Honjo International Friendship Association a few weeks ago. As the scheduled date for the trip closes I was having doubts whether I would join or not. I'm a little bit out of cash so I was hesitant to join but also I only have a few months left (about 2) here in Japan so this would be a great opportunity to maximized my stay. I really don't have to worry about the travel fee as I have already settled it a bit earlier, what worries me is that I don't have any cash at my disposal once something happens.

But the eager side of me triumphs as I joined the tour last Sunday (13 July 2008) and I am glad I did as I joined fellow students who are also joining the tour. It was fun to travel and see new sights. The itinerary for the tour starts from Matsumoto Castle, then lunch at Azumino Swiss Village, a tour at a Wasabi Farm (大王わさびのうじょう　－だいおうわさびのうじょう), and finally a quick tour at Azumino ArtHills Museum just near the farm.

Here are some of the pictures I took during the course of our travel. More can be seen at my winkflash site.

and the VERDICT is...

The results of the master's thesis presentation held yesterday were already posted and two friends and fellow master's students already called up informing me of the outcome. The verdict was that almost everyone passed the presentation except for two who needs to make another presentation by next month. It was a relief actually as I was having doubts whether I could pass or not considering the questions thrown at me yesterday.

I'm heading for the campus now to check the results and will also drop by at the admin office for our monthly scholarship sign up.

One Piece

For the past week as I prepare myself for this "gruesome" day of master's thesis presentation, I spent my time watching online videos. I guess I got tired of watching movies or maybe I just couldn't find something interesting to watch so I ended up watching One Piece (ワンピース).

I know that they used to show this back home in Manila but I really didn't have the chance to see it or maybe I just didn't like it that time. Then again, it is really hard to follow the story line of something when you didn't watch it from the beginning. Anyways, I didn't know that it's more than just an anime but has a very good story as well. Honestly, I even cried in some of the episodes. Some of the scenes are quite visual in nature but done in a very subtle way (specifically some of the more violent scenes with all the blood and everything). More of suggestive leaving it up for the audience to visualize and explore their imaginations, I just close my eyes whenever I feel like the scene will end up just like what I have imagined it to be (especially with every scenes that has blood written all over it).

Currently watching Episode 40 now and I plan to finish it all the way.

Done >_<

T'was a nerve wrecking, hair raising, brain twisting day. Glad it was ALMOST over. Almost, as I still have to wait for the results. >_<

Gambarimasu!!

Preparing for our thesis presentation today. Gambarimasu!!

Defense! Defense! Defense!

In the Philippines, you usually hear these words in a court...in a basketball court that is. As part of a cheer, crowd shouts in harmony encouraging and motivating players to stand ground and protect the goal. Enough of the basketball. Three days from now, I will be facing a stiff crowd, trying to convince them to approve my work. Not really freaking out right now but I am still concerned for the outcome of my presentation. Hopefully, everything turns out good. Sigh. Wish me luck!

Replication

Have just learned that I could actually "duplicate" my blog here at blogspot to multiply. Well I really didn't knew it first until I came across a post from someone else's blog. Anyways, I have a multiply account that I used to host pictures before I found another hosting site. One thing I love with multiply is that you could actually embed a player for my mp3 files and do a lot of things with it so I still maintain it to date. Having learned the capability to import blogspot in multiply, I started the move. Now I am currently testing whether this post would reflect on the other site.

Yatta!!

It is finally over, for now. I was able to submit my thesis last Thursday afternoon and now I'll just be waiting for the schedule announcements by July 4. The defense will be on July 9, so now I still have at least a week to relax and to prepare myself for the defense. Wish me luck! :)

Finding a beauty in our own (words from Mr. John Silva)

For those of you who are in the Philippines and have some free time to spare or are trying to look for activities that are not only worthwhile but also enriching, might as well check the National Museum scheduled tours. Information, schedules and write up about a tour they are cooking up can be found at Mr. John L. Silva's blogsite (Mr. Silva is one of National Museum's Senior Advisers, a writer, a fundraiser, and an advocate for the arts and heritage preservation). Happy viewing.

Links to John L. Silva's blogsite:
http://johnsilva.blogspot.com/2008/06/you-don.html

(photo courtesy of Mr. John L. Silva)

Almost there

I'm done writing my thesis and have already submitted it to my sensei for evaluation. I just hope he wouldn't require me to do so much revisions as the deadline for the submission of thesis for defense is next week. "ALMOST THERE" since I still have to prepare for the defense itself. I just hope I won't be bombarded with questions. Sigh...Gambarimasu!! (>_<)

Updates

Busy writing my thesis.